Unable to come back after falling into a four-goal chasm by halftime, the New Mexico Highlands women’s soccer team nonetheless kept battling en route to a 4-1 defeat against Metro State on Sunday afternoon at Perkins Stadium.

Metro is one of the top four teams in the region and unoffically rates among the top 30 in the nation.

Julie Essick scored the lone Highlands goal on a free kick from 35 yards away in the 68th minute.

Saturday’s New Mexico Highlands football home game could be pivotal in determining the Cowboys’ standing in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference this fall.

The Colorado Mesa Mavericks bring identical overall and league records at 2-2 and 1-1, respectively. They lost a close one Sept. 21 at then-No. 21 nationally ranked Chadron State, 30-24, then clobbered Black Hills State last week by a 49-11 count.

FISHING REPORT, Oct. 1
Charette Lakes: Due to low water levels only small boats are being launched here and with some difficulty.
Cimarron River: Water flow below Eagle Nest Lake on Monday was 6.3 cfs. With low water conditions the best bet was pocket waters again this past week. Trout fishing was rated as fair to good by anglers using caddis, bead-head pheasant tails, copper John Barrs and worms.

A co-ed mushball tournament to benefit local softball standout Megan Esquibel — as she raises funds for a select camp in Oklahoma City — will be held Saturday in town. Registration is $10 per player, $100 per team. The tourney is double elimination, and at least three girls must be on the field for a team at all times. Registration runs though Friday. For more information and to register, call Julie, 426-7526.